Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanelle Smith.
Hi Shanelle, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
With much respect for the annual cadre of Black History Month heroes and heroines, I knew my 8th grader’s new information, new stories, new heroes. So, in 2015, I took to social media begging for pennants and shirts to use Historically Black Colleges and Universities as our Black History Month backdrop. With much community support, I was able to sport a different shirt each day for the entire month. Each year since then, I have been able to introduce students to the rich legacy of these institutions while promoting all of the opportunities they offered. In 2019, a small group of alumni joined forces, pooled money and resources to send off local students who were headed to HBCUs. Fast forward to 2020, HBCU Walking Billboard became a 501c3 organization with the sole purpose of promoting awareness of, attendance to, and graduation from Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
HBCU Walking Billboard has developed very organically. There have been way more upsides to the process of formalizing our organization than anything else. We have established great partnerships, secured early funding, and impacted many students. Some of the struggles we have faced have been acquiring enough funding and enough manpower. Nonprofits across the globe share in these two ongoing obstacles, so it helps to know that we are not alone. Despite these hurdles, we always manage to get the job done and continue carrying out our mission regarding HBCUs.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’ve been an educator for 17 years. Over the years, I’ve realized that students are seeking opportunities outside of that which is often presented. This is where HBCUs come into the picture. Oftentimes, students don’t see themselves as a part of the college conversation, so they dismiss the vast possibilities therein. Other times, students simply aren’t sure of the best fit institution, which is another great way for us to assist both them and their families. And finally, money is the game-changer, so we want to do all this is in our power to try to take that barrier away from students attending the college or university of their dreams.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Before going into education, I was a law student at UMKC. My mother unexpectedly passed away on my 4th day of class, leaving behind my 3 teenage siblings for my husband and I to care for. A tragedy like that can shake you to your core, and believe me, it did. I had to do some soul searching. With 3 growing mouths to feed, a job was a non-negotiable, and I landed one at the Full Employment Council. In that time, I found both purpose and passion in helping young people that came from the same city and circumstances as myself. From there, I became a high school teacher. It was grief that led me to the career that I love.
Contact Info:
- Email: shaysmith@hbcuwalkingbillboard.com
- Website: www.hbcuwalkingbillboard.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hbcuwalkingbillboard/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/HBCUWalkingBillboard/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/HbcuWalking?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQauVeovGOJw4JxOHxUSe9Q
Image Credits
Golden Image Photography
